Obituaries: Richard Stapleton, Charles Gray, Robert J. Johnson, Norma J. Guido

Richard G. “Dick” Stapleton, 74, of Milford died Friday, Oct. 25, at his residence. He was the husband of Sandra L. (McManus) Stapleton.
Mr. Stapleton was a proud member of Ironworkers Local # 7 for 49 years before his retirement in 2009. Dick was born Nov. 10, 1938 in Medford the son of the late George and Marie (Kirwan) Stapleton and had been a resident of Lynn for many years before moving to Milford 14 years ago. He was a graduate of North Shore Community College. Dick served with the U.S Marine Corps. Dick was a member of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers. He was a life-long member of the Democratic Party and a “Friend of Bill W” for over 30 years.

Charles A. Gray, 95, of Milford passed away on Friday, Oct. 18, at the Genesis Healthcare Milford Center. He was the husband of Elizabeth (McNulty) Gray who died in 2005 and Eleanor (Sheehan) Gray who died in 1969. Mr. Gray had been employed as an electrician for Cambridge Electric Light in Cambridge for 45 years before his retirement in 1983. Charles was born Sept. 19, 1918 in Boston the son of the late Charles and Emily (Silk) Gray and had been a resident of Tewksbury for many years before moving to Milford 10 years ago. He was a graduate of the Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School in Cambridge. He was a ham radio operator and his call signal was “W1MNP”. Mr. Gray was a veteran of WW II serving in the US Navy aboard the USS Ticonderoga.

Mr. Robert J. Johnson, 82, of Milford, died unexpectedly Sunday, Oct. 20 at his residence. He was the beloved husband of the late Eleanor A. (Vesperi) Johnson, who died in 2012. Mr. Johnson was born in Milford, the son of the late Peter and the late Gladys (Zigas) Johnson. He was a graduate of the former St. Mary’s High School. Mr. Johnson was a wounded Korean Conflict veteran having served in the US Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of S/SGT. Mr. Johnson had been employed for over thirty years for the NE Telephone Company, retiring as a supervisor in 1986. 
Mr. Johnson was an avid sportsman who loved to watch his grandsons play in various sporting events. He was also an avid fan of and volunteer for the John W. Powers Post #59 American Legion baseball team where he had also served as a past member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Johnson was also a longtime member of the Italian-American Veterans Post of Milford, a  member of the Telephone Pioneers Club of America and a longtime Town Meeting member. He had also served as the secretary for the Plains Reunion Committee and was the 2012 recipient of the Plains Reunion Man of the Year Award. 

Norma J. (Simmons) Guido, 75 of Milford, and formerly of Clearwater, FL, died Friday morning, Oct. 18, at her residence after an illness. She was born in Milford, the daughter of the late Donald and the late Helen (Densmore) Simmons and resided in Clearwater before moving to Milford in 2011. Mrs. Guido attended the Milford public schools as a young girl and was employed as a supervisor at the AC Nielsen Company in Dunedin, FL for (34) years before retiring in 2011. She enjoyed playing bingo and bunco card games.